Our representative: Veera Mendonca, PhD
A dynamic leader dedicated to improving the lives of children and families in Papua New Guinea
Veera Mendonca began her tenure as the Representative for UNICEF Papua New Guinea in January 2025. With a distinguished career spanning over two decades in international development and humanitarian assistance, Veera brings a wealth of expertise to Papua New Guinea. A national of India, she is dedicated to championing the rights and wellbeing of children and adolescents, particularly in the areas of education, health, protection, and development.
Before assuming her current position, Veera served as UNICEF’s Deputy Representative in Ukraine (2022-2025), where she played a critical role in managing and overseeing emergency and long-term development programmes during a challenging period. Prior to that, she was the Deputy Representative in Bangladesh (2019-2022), contributing to UNICEF’s impactful initiatives in a country marked by dynamic development needs.
Veera has also held key regional and country-level positions, including Regional Adviser for Adolescent Development Programmes in the Middle East and North Africa (2013-2019), Chief of Field Office in Suriname, and HIV Coordinator in Kenya. Throughout her career, she has been instrumental in providing technical support, formulating strategies, and strengthening partnerships to achieve sustainable outcomes for vulnerable populations.
Veera holds a PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an MPH from New York University, and an MS from the University of Missouri. Her commitment to innovative solutions and inclusive development makes her a dynamic leader in addressing complex challenges affecting children and families in Papua New Guinea.
Veera is focused on fostering partnerships, advancing equitable access to services, and ensuring that every child in Papua New Guinea can thrive.
